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Petition to the Congress of the United States of America, July 8, 1867

[7-8-67]
Petition to Congress of the U. States of America:
We, The Officers, for and on behalf of the North Carolina State Equal Rights League, representing the entire colored population thereof, do petition the Congress now in session, to remove the disability of voting and holding office imposed on W.W. Holden by the Constitutional Amendment and the Reconstruction Acts now in force:
For these reasons: that Mr. Holton has been especially conspicuous and indefatigable in his efforts on behalf of the Union, the cause of liberty, humanity and justice. His name and sufferings have become clear to us all because of the prosecution which he has undergone and still services at the hands of disloyalests; and we feel that the great influence which he has acquired by an unflinching advocacy and unfailing defiance of the rights of men would be enhanced to our benefit and that all the loyal men by removing from him the said disability imposed by the said laws. Indeed, our necessities imperatively command that we petition for the release of such a true and tried friend. We deem his aid in any and every manner of the utmost importance; and confess that we are hampered in our efforts at reconstruction by the action of a law of Congress, which pre-

[7-8-67]
Petition to Congress of the U. States of America:
We, The Officers, for and on behalf of the North Carolina State Equal Rights League, representing the entire colored population thereof, do petition the Congress now in session, to remove the disability of voting and holding office imposed on W.W. Holden by the Constitutional Amendment and the Reconstruction Acts now in force:
For these reasons: that Mr. Holton has been especially conspicuous and indefatigable in his efforts on behalf of the Union, the cause of liberty, humanity and justice. His name and sufferings have become clear to us all because of the prosecution which he has undergone and still services at the hands of disloyalests; and we feel that the great influence which he has acquired by an unflinching advocacy and unfailing defiance of the rights of men would be enhanced to our benefit and that all the loyal men by removing from him the said disability imposed by the said laws. Indeed, our necessities imperatively command that we petition for the release of such a true and tried friend. We deem his aid in any and every manner of the utmost importance; and confess that we are hampered in our efforts at reconstruction by the action of a law of Congress, which pre-